BFIS will open an account for you with Banco Sabadell Atlantico and you will receive both an ATM card and a VISA card for your Spanish account. Paychecks are deposited directly into your account on, or around, the 25th of each month. Most teachers do the majority of their banking online and through ATMs. (Please note that you will not be charged for transactions made at a Sabadell Atlantico bank machine). The Sabadell banking systems are easy and you may choose English as the language for your transaction. Remember that your rent and bills will come directly out of your bank account; you will have no control over the dates of these withdrawals so it is a good idea to have a bit of a cushion of extra euros in your bank account. It is also important to get into the habit of checking your balance online and reading, carefully, the bank statements that will be sent to you by Sabadell.

Bank Hours

Most banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some are also open Saturday morning. Here is the website for Sabadell Atlantico. You can use the branch directory to find the branch closest to you.

Checking Accounts

We do not recommend opening a checking account here. We do, however, recommend keeping a checking/savings account in your home country, if monthly charges are free. Many teachers maintain an account at home and have asked a trusted person to help take care of their finances while they are away.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are honored here. Whenever anything is charged to these cards, the charge in Euros is converted to the dollar rate at the time the charge is processed. Generally it is a good rate of exchange. Please note that Spanish credit cards do not necessarily carry the consumer protection of US cards. If you have difficulty with a merchant/service provider who charges your credit card, you may have no recourse with the Spanish bank.

Debit Cards

You will be able to use your American or Canadian debit card in Spain as long as you have a 4-digit PIN number. Each transaction will cost approximately five dollars; check with your bank for more information about charges. You may use your new Sabadell Atlantico ATM card as a debit card in stores but, when doing so, you will have to show identification such as your passport or your Spanish residency card. Although most stores will accept your debit card, many cafés and bars will not, so carrying around a minimal amount of cash at all times is recommended.

Money Transfer

Sending money back to your home country can be done by:

a) purchasing a check in your home currency at the bank and mailing it

b) purchasing traveler’s checks and mailing them

c) bank wire transfer to a bank account in another city/country. There are bank service charges for all these options.